Drone Pilot & Flight Test Technician
Location: Aldsworth, Gloucestershire (GL54)
Job Type: Full-time
Help shape the future of British drone technology.
UAVTEK designs and manufactures advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS), secure communications and counter-UAS technologies for defence, government and commercial customers worldwide.
We're looking for a qualified drone pilot to join our growing engineering team. This is a hands-on role supporting product development, flight testing, customer demonstrations and regulatory compliance.
You'll work alongside engineers to test new aircraft, validate software and hardware changes, support customer trials and ensure our operations continue to meet Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) requirements.
If you're passionate about aviation and drones, enjoy solving technical challenges and want to work with cutting-edge British technology, we'd love to hear from you.
Key Responsibilities
Flight Operations
- Conduct safe and professional flight operations in accordance with UK CAA regulations.
- Perform pre-flight planning, risk assessments and post-flight reporting.
- Support flight testing of new products and engineering developments.
- Assist with customer demonstrations and product evaluations.
- Travel to customer sites and test locations across the UK when required.
Flight Testing
- Collect flight data and accurately document test results.
- Report defects and anomalies to engineering teams.
- Support development and validation of new flight control software and hardware.
- Assist with system commissioning and acceptance testing.
Compliance & Safety
- Ensure all operations comply with CAA regulations and company procedures.
- Maintain flight records and operational documentation.
- Assist with Operational Authorisations and regulatory compliance activities.
- Promote a strong safety culture across all flight operations.
Product Support
- Assist with customer training and demonstrations.
- Support exhibitions, trade shows and live demonstrations.
- Help prepare aircraft and equipment for deployment and testing.
Essential Requirements
- GVC (General Visual Line of Sight Certificate).
- Good working knowledge of UK CAA drone regulations.
- Experience planning and conducting safe drone operations.
- Full UK driving licence.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Comfortable working outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Ability to reliably commute to, or relocate to, Aldsworth, Gloucestershire.
Desirable Experience (but not essential)
- Experience operating multirotor UAVs.
- Experience with ArduPilot or PX4-based systems.
- Experience carrying out flight testing rather than simply flying missions.
- Understanding of aviation safety management.
- Basic mechanical or electrical fault-finding skills.
- Experience with mapping, inspection or ISR operations.
- Interest in defence technology.
Personal Qualities
We're looking for someone who:
- Is calm and methodical.
- Has excellent attention to detail.
- Takes safety seriously.
- Enjoys learning new technology.
- Can work independently and as part of a team.
- Is proactive and willing to get involved in all aspects of product development.
- Represents UAVTEK professionally when dealing with customers.
Pay: £29,000.00-£38,000.00 per year
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Aldsworth GL54: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Application question(s):
- Please write a short introduction (3–6 sentences) explaining why you’re interested in this role and what makes you a good fit.
- Please list the done systems you have operated?
- How many years have you been operating drones?
- Please list your UAV qualifications?
GVC
A2 CofC
Flyer ID / Operator ID only
Military qualification
None
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
